Respiratory Therapy Degree in Sparks, NV — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Sparks, NV. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Sparks
Cost of Living
105.2
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Sparks, NV Overview
While Sparks has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Respiratory Therapy students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,754/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Sparks is approximately $52,600.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,900/yr
Private Tuition
$24,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,754/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,917/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
64%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Sparks (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sparks's cost of living index of 105.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Sparks adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Sparks
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Sparks tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,900 | Private avg: $24,000
Sparks avg aid: $11,917/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,616
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,780
vs HS diploma in Sparks
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sparks
$378,784
Lifetime earnings premium ($473,400) minus total education cost ($94,616)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Sparks
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sparks for Respiratory Therapy
Sparks State University
public
$8,021/yr
$32,084 total
University of Sparks
public
$8,296/yr
$33,184 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Sparks Community College
$5,982/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Sparks
Sparks offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sparks Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Nevada Cities
Las Vegas, NV
$58K starting · COL 115
45 colleges
Henderson, NV
$65K starting · COL 129
12 colleges
Reno, NV
$58K starting · COL 116
21 colleges
North Las Vegas, NV
$49K starting · COL 98.5
10 colleges
Spring Valley, NV
$50K starting · COL 100.2
8 colleges
Sunrise Manor, NV
$48K starting · COL 95.8
7 colleges
Paradise, NV
$50K starting · COL 100.5
7 colleges
Enterprise, NV
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Sparks
Pharmacy
$53K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$72K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$53K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$53K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$53K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Sparks — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Respiratory Therapy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sparks.